Stephen 'Superman' Ireland 'Really Excited'

Villa new boy Stephen Ireland has told www.avfc.co.uk as well as BBC video: (Click Here) that he is impressed with the 'family' feel at Villa. He also said he did his research speaking with people including Darius Vassell and Richard Dunne.

And nice to hear......! 'I knew this was exactly where I wanted to go. I think Aston Villa is a very good family club - a club that will get the best out of me. With it being a family club, I know I'm going to see the same faces day-in and day-out. I spoke to some of the staff and they have been here for 16 or 17 years.I definitely want to be part of that. I have actually been shocked at how good it is - even though I have only been here for two or three days.'

He says the people are nice and he is settling in well and also was really impressed with Randy Lerner.

'I speak to Richard Dunne regularly - even last season I did - and he spoke so highly of the club. I have always liked Aston Villa, always liked coming here and playing. They were always a team I was wary of too. I feel the style of play, the fans - it's just really exciting. For me I can definitely push on and get back to playing the way I can.'

Cool!

Must admit, think we have a gem of a player here. Shame we had to lose one to get him but hey, that is football. Looking forward to seeing him make his debut and building (or re-building) his reputation at Villa over the years. There are goals in this lad as well, so should be exciting for us!

Sounds like they have been busting his balls in training as well... full interview: www.avfc.co.uk

And he ends he is 'really fired and ready to go'

Get in there!

He also told Sky Sports News that he didn't feel wanted at Manchester City. 'I was banging my head against a brick wall despite what I had done in training. I just went with the reserves, worked hard in the gym and kept as active as possible. Without a shadow of doubt the situation I found myself in will happen a lot at Manchester City with all the high-profile players they have at the club. At Manchester City sitting on the bench I didn't feel part of the team. I was neither happy or sad if we lost. I'm still young and hopefully Villa will get the best of me and I am now looking forward to the season.'

And finally, in The Express & Star is apparently nicknamed Superman because of his blue and red shorts that he once flashed after scoring v Sunderland? Glad to say that passed me buy! Anyway, our 23-year-old midfielder told the paper he might treat the Villa fans to the same. I'll hopefully have that one pass me by for a second time then!

"If the right occasion comes the fans can have something to smile about as well! But for me, my number one target is to work hard for my team-mates, show them what I can bring to the table, show them they can rely on me. I`m going to work hard for them. When I get my chance to get on the ball, hopefully I`ll shine. I am really excited.'

Ireland is expected to make his debut v Newcastle United on Sunday.

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Great to read Stephens comments. They surely must be a huge boost to Villans everywhere, after what has been, lets face it, a somewhat miserable summer on more than one front.
I'm looking forward to witnessing his debut on Sunday at St James Park, and hope that his time at Villa Park will be as successful as it has been for his two new team mates, John Carew and Ashley Young, players who also made their claret and blue debut up on Tyneside (sadly a 3-1 defeat). Welcome Aboard Stephen.

Great to hear this positivity - says a lot about the players he speaks highly of and also how the club is run,
Maybe he can bring back some of the orthodox midfield performances...when last did we have anyone play like Sid Cowans?

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